NDP members show support for GM, ask for government auto policy

NDP MPs in Windsor held a press conference Monday calling on the government to put an auto procurement policy in place — meaning only vehicles made by Canadians could be purchased by the government.

"There are a lot of vehicles purchased by the federal government that are GM products," said Essex MP Tracey Ramsey. "The NDP is calling on the government to make sure the vehicles they are procuring are Canadian products."

She said there is currently no policy in place, but one needs to be enacted soon.

"I think it's fair and reasonable that we have a policy at the federal level," said Ramsey. "It matters because it sustains communities."

According to Ramsey, it's about making sure the community isn't "devastated," adding it was the government's responsibility to keep the community strong. She said it's deeper than a trade policy or the auto pact, that it was about protections for jobs as well.

"This is the first time we've really taken a look at how much is being spent on GM specifically," said Ramsey.

John D'Agnolo, president of Local 200, represents about 1,700 workers at three different local auto facilities.

"The workers are frustrated," said D'Agnolo. "They're tired of watching our jobs go south."

D'Agnolo said that it wouldn't be difficult to put a policy in place.

"Just bring the old one back."

A spokesperson from the office of Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains said Bains was disappointed with GM's decision and that he always defends the Canadian auto worker.

"The Minister meets regularly with representatives of GM and Unifor. Minister Bains has maintained an open dialogue with Mary Barra," said press secretary Dani Keenan. "He met with Jerry Dias last Friday."

GM says Mexico manufacturing numbers inflated

According to Philip Andre Bisson, communications manager for GM Canada, since 2008 GM has sold more than 5,700 vehicles to the government in Canada — and only about 10 per cent of those were manufactured in Mexico.

"Ninety per cent are manufactured in Canada and the United States," said Bisson, adding that of the more than 4,700 vehicles sold to the RCMP, less than 400 came from Mexico.

"We are very far from the 350 million announced by the NDP," said Bisson. "We're not sure where they get these things."

Retirees worried about pensions disappearing

Isabelle Turgeon is a retired GM worker from the transmission plant in Windsor and said she knows what the people in Oshawa are going through.

"It's devastating," said Turgeon. "If it's made in Canada, we'll buy it in Canada. I want things to change."

Fellow retiree Debbie Cabana hopes the government learns from what's happening.

"We need work in Canada," said Cabana.

Turgeon said she thinks about her pension every day.

"Where's it going to come from? I depend on that," said Turgeon, adding there's a real possibility her pension will be taken away.

"We gave them 100 per cent. We deserve more."